Disneyland better than WDW

[JJZMgailey]

What is it about Disneyland that makes you love it so much more?

I'm so glad you asked that, Tonyz!

On my family's second trip there (back in 2003), we did the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour where we learned so many fascinating things about Walt and the Park. Things like how there are two drops in the Pirates of the Caribbean because there had to be due to the staircase inside of Club 33 - and, that second drop ROCKS (well, I think the first one is the bigger one and that's the one I love!)! I was amazed at how every single thing was done with such intention and how they made it look/feel like it was supposed to be there all along and not because it had to be built that way. And New Orleans Square! OMGosh, I love it so much. I love how it had to have a separate physical address from Disneyland so they could get their liquor license to serve alcohol in Club 33.

When I walk into Disneyland, I can feel the nostalgia from Walt's illuminated lamp above the Fire Station to the feeling I get when I stand on that little metal circle that's right in the middle of the Park near Sleeping Beauty Castle where Walt stood as he watched his dream being brought to life. Everywhere I look, everything is beautiful and if I happen to see a scuff or chipped paint somewhere, it's not there the next day - of course, someone else's experience could be different, but that's been mine.

The Disneyland Railroad is so fabulous too! I love how there are 4 stops that will take you very close to just about any part of the Park you want to go. It feels like an Attraction all on its own! And the monorail that twists around and drops you off in Tomorrowland - so much love for that!!

There are so many Attractions at Disneyland that I love so much more than at WDW too. Pirates, for example is SO much better at DLR, IMO. I love floating through the Bayou alongside the the Blue Bayou restaurant; it transports me to another world - and, that banjo playing . . . . . . gets me every time. Then there's the Haunted Mansion. Now, I really do love WDW's version too, but not more than the one at DLR. And I especially love it when they bring the Nightmare Before Christmas layover out - coolest thing on the planet! Which brings me to 'it's a small world' and the whole facade at Disneyland. I'll never forget how disappointed I was when I walked up to it at Magic Kingdom and was like, "What's this? Are you kidding me over here?" I could stand in front of it watching the Casey Jr. Circus Train and the little "show" that happens every 15-minutes for an hour like it was nothing. I know I'm the oddball here on this one, but I also love how they incorporated some Disney Characters into the Attraction at DLR. I think they're really tastefully done and if you don't know they're there, you wouldn't even notice them.

And, don't get me started on all of the Attractions we don't have here like Storybook Land Canal Boats, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Indiana Jones Adventure, and many more. OH! And Toon Town!!! OMGosh, Mickey's Toontown...........

I just love it there; everything about it makes my heart sing. The Cast Members there are so proud of their Park and I can feel it whenever I ask them anything. I can see their eyes light up when they share information with me. It makes me happier than I can describe to feel that excitement and sense of pride in their voices as they speak about their workplace because it's so much more than just a workplace to them. I just want to go back!!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I get that the last big thing was about Disneyland - all the new videos etc. but before that the major project was the "why we love deluxe" which was WDW based

We just took our first trip to Disneyland last October and personally I wasn't blown away by it ... and it confirmed that we are a WDW family. I was especially disappointed in the Cast Member interaction as I definitely never got the sense they loved the park or anything, some that were controlling crowds were borderline rude and we've just had much, much better interractions with WDW Cast Members

Plus the crowds were unbearable - so hard just to walk

I get why people like it though - some of the attractions are unique or better than their WDW counterparts and it is very neat to know that Walt walked in that park, etc. It just didn't "wow' us like I was expecting and was way more stressful to us.

Everywhere I look, everything is beautiful and if I happen to see a scuff or chipped paint somewhere, it's not there the next day - of course, someone else's experience could be different, but that's been mine.

This I will definitely agree with - Disneyland I found much better maintained than WDW

 

[k5jm]

Each location is a unique experience. I do not believe that you can compare the two side by side / ride by ride. Disneyland is almost a "religious" experience. Walt Disney World is a vacation wonderland. I think everyone should try to go to Disneyland. It has a different feel, a different vibe, and is just different! There are things I love about DLP that nothing in the US can touch. But Disneyland is the only location that Walt touched, walked in, lived in, and nurtured. It is something that must be experienced and I know that is what Pete and team are trying to convey.

 

[OKW Lover]

Well said @WebmasterMike

 

[one11sgt]

I realize they live so close so its not a vacation and I realize they are celebrating the 60th I exclude that from my OP. Even before, and I'm sure after though they do always compare and 99% of the time Disneyland is always so much better. Disneyland food tastes better, Disneyland rides are better, Disneyland cast members are better, Disneyland air is better. Its a bit discouraging. And I was joking about the neglected and abandoned comment, dont be so literal. Either way its just my opinion and in no way means I love the podcast less or have a diminished respect for the team. But just like they say that they dont always love everything Disney does but still love Disney, same feeling for me with this topic.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I realize they live so close so its not a vacation and I realize they are celebrating the 60th I exclude that from my OP. Even before, and I'm sure after though they do always compare and 99% of the time Disneyland is always so much better. Disneyland food tastes better, Disneyland rides are better, Disneyland cast members are better, Disneyland air is better. Its a bit discouraging. And I was joking about the neglected and abandoned comment, dont be so literal. Either way its just my opinion and in no way means I love the podcast less or have a diminished respect for the team. But just like they say that they dont always love everything Disney does but still love Disney, same feeling for me with this topic.

So glad you mentioned the air. I can't believe no one has brought that up before. The air is SO much better at Disneyland...you wouldn't believe it.

 

[barbaraann]

I love vacationing in both places, but if I have a choice, I will choose Disneyland. My first Disney park experience was at WDW, so the theory about first being your favorite doesn't work with me. I visited WDW in 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005, and then in July of 2005, I traveled west, and went to Disneyland. Maybe it was because I was there for the big 50th celebration, but Disneyland captured my heart the way, WDW never has.

 

[one11sgt]

So glad you mentioned the air. I can't believe no one has brought that up before. The air is SO much better at Disneyland...you wouldn't believe it.

Make sure you point it out to Pete, Tom lol. Sometimes sarcasm really gets lost on this board. Thanks for "getting it" hahaha

 

[barbaraann]

Actually, I refuse to debate the subject with people. It's like asking someone why they are attracted to their significant other. They just are. It's a heart thing.

 

[JJZMgailey]

Maybe it was because I was there for the big 50th celebration, but Disneyland captured my heart the way, WDW never has.

I was there during the 50th too!! Such cool experiences were happening during that year!

 

[Tonyz]

I'm so glad you asked that, Tonyz!

On my family's second trip there (back in 2003), we did the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour where we learned so many fascinating things about Walt and the Park. Things like how there are two drops in the Pirates of the Caribbean because there had to be due to the staircase inside of Club 33 - and, that second drop ROCKS (well, I think the first one is the bigger one and that's the one I love!)! I was amazed at how every single thing was done with such intention and how they made it look/feel like it was supposed to be there all along and not because it had to be built that way. And New Orleans Square! OMGosh, I love it so much. I love how it had to have a separate physical address from Disneyland so they could get their liquor license to serve alcohol in Club 33.

When I walk into Disneyland, I can feel the nostalgia from Walt's illuminated lamp above the Fire Station to the feeling I get when I stand on that little metal circle that's right in the middle of the Park near Sleeping Beauty Castle where Walt stood as he watched his dream being brought to life. Everywhere I look, everything is beautiful and if I happen to see a scuff or chipped paint somewhere, it's not there the next day - of course, someone else's experience could be different, but that's been mine.

The Disneyland Railroad is so fabulous too! I love how there are 4 stops that will take you very close to just about any part of the Park you want to go. It feels like an Attraction all on its own! And the monorail that twists around and drops you off in Tomorrowland - so much love for that!!

There are so many Attractions at Disneyland that I love so much more than at WDW too. Pirates, for example is SO much better at DLR, IMO. I love floating through the Bayou alongside the the Blue Bayou restaurant; it transports me to another world - and, that banjo playing . . . . . . gets me every time. Then there's the Haunted Mansion. Now, I really do love WDW's version too, but not more than the one at DLR. And I especially love it when they bring the Nightmare Before Christmas layover out - coolest thing on the planet! Which brings me to 'it's a small world' and the whole facade at Disneyland. I'll never forget how disappointed I was when I walked up to it at Magic Kingdom and was like, "What's this? Are you kidding me over here?" I could stand in front of it watching the Casey Jr. Circus Train and the little "show" that happens every 15-minutes for an hour like it was nothing. I know I'm the oddball here on this one, but I also love how they incorporated some Disney Characters into the Attraction at DLR. I think they're really tastefully done and if you don't know they're there, you wouldn't even notice them.

And, don't get me started on all of the Attractions we don't have here like Storybook Land Canal Boats, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Indiana Jones Adventure, and many more. OH! And Toon Town!!! OMGosh, Mickey's Toontown...........

I just love it there; everything about it makes my heart sing. The Cast Members there are so proud of their Park and I can feel it whenever I ask them anything. I can see their eyes light up when they share information with me. It makes me happier than I can describe to feel that excitement and sense of pride in their voices as they speak about their workplace because it's so much more than just a workplace to them. I just want to go back!!

Great post, Jackie! Thanks for such an in-depth response! I gotta get over there soon!

 

[Tonyz]

Jackie, is there anything that you prefer at the Magic Kingdom compared to DL?

 

[JJZMgailey]

Jackie, is there anything that you prefer at the Magic Kingdom compared to DL?

Yes!

So, Peter Pan's Flight is my all-time favorite Attraction and I find that the one at Magic Kingdom is longer and I prefer it over the DLR version!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Jackie, is there anything that you prefer at the Magic Kingdom compared to DL?

Haunted Mansion (except during the holidays)

 

[Tonyz]

Thanks guys!

Here's a question (please excuse my ignorance)... but is there any big difference between the two Splash Mountains?

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks guys!

Here's a question (please excuse my ignorance)... but is there any big difference between the two Splash Mountains?

Very similar. The biggest difference you'll notice is the seating. At WDW you sit 2x4, at DL you sit single file.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Jackie, is there anything that you prefer at the Magic Kingdom compared to DL?

Not Jackie, but I'll answer, too, as someone who's gone to Disneyland all my life, and weaned my own kids there. WDW Magic Kingdom is magnificent. It's so big compared to Disneyland. You even have to take a train or boat there from the parking lot, and the castle is so big that you can see it from outside the park. The castle is breathtaking. I love Liberty Square and the Liberty Tree. We don't have anything like that at Disneyland. I like Splash Mountain and how there is actually a storyline. I was surprised to see that. I like that I can go on the Peoplemover there. Kelly (my daughter) and I spent our time talking about how interesting the differences were. The facade for it's a Small World is beautiful at Disneyland, but the attraction inside is also different - there's water everywhere that they don't have at Disneyland, and we loved it. I only went on the Jungle Cruise once or twice, but there is a cool temple there not at Disneyland, which is different. I haven't made it into the new Fantasyland yet to explore, but I did ride the 7 Dwarf's Mine Train Ride. After hearing everyone talk about how short it is, I was delighted - I laughed through the whole ride. I also really enjoyed the welcome show on the train station at park opening. There are attractions at WDW Magic Kingdom that aren't at Disneyland that we enjoyed, and others we didn't think were better, but truly enjoyed the differences.

I can hardly wait until we go in December. We're only going for a couple of days, but my son's girlfriend has never been, and we're looking forward to re-exploring and sharing new experiences with her.

 

[Tonyz]

Not Jackie, but I'll answer, too, as someone who's gone to Disneyland all my life, and weaned my own kids there. WDW Magic Kingdom is magnificent. It's so big compared to Disneyland. You even have to take a train or boat there from the parking lot, and the castle is so big that you can see it from outside the park. The castle is breathtaking. I love Liberty Square and the Liberty Tree. We don't have anything like that at Disneyland. I like Splash Mountain and how there is actually a storyline. I was surprised to see that. I like that I can go on the Peoplemover there. Kelly (my daughter) and I spent our time talking about how interesting the differences were. The facade for it's a Small World is beautiful at Disneyland, but the attraction inside is also different - there's water everywhere that they don't have at Disneyland, and we loved it. I only went on the Jungle Cruise once or twice, but there is a cool temple there not at Disneyland, which is different. I haven't made it into the new Fantasyland yet to explore, but I did ride the 7 Dwarf's Mine Train Ride. After hearing everyone talk about how short it is, I was delighted - I laughed through the whole ride. I also really enjoyed the welcome show on the train station at park opening. There are attractions at WDW Magic Kingdom that aren't at Disneyland that we enjoyed, and others we didn't think were better, but truly enjoyed the differences.

I can hardly wait until we go in December. We're only going for a couple of days, but my son's girlfriend has never been, and we're looking forward to re-exploring and sharing new experiences with her.

Awesome read! Just curious... what do you mean by "there's water everywhere that they don't have in Disneyland"?

 

[barbaraann]

Peter Pan at DL needs fastpass. The wait is always way more than I want to wait.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I found these on the web -

Awesome read! Just curious... what do you mean by "there's water everywhere that they don't have in Disneyland"?

At Disneyland, the boats are in a 'canal' that contains the water, while at the Magic Kingdom WDW the water extends to the doll platforms:

Disneyland ............................................................................................................................ Walt Disney World